Caution around school buses

August 22, 2005

DEARBORN - "Stop" means stop, especially when it comes to school buses, say state high officials. AAA Michigan stresses the need for motorists to follow state school bus safety laws to keep students safe.

"It's very simple. The law requires motorists to stop when the overhead red lights of a school bus are flashing," said Richard J. Miller, Community Safety Services manager for AAA Michigan. "This law applies to drivers on both sides of the road, unless the highway is divided by a barrier."

AAA, in partnership with the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT), has created several new television public service announcements on school bus laws. They are being distributed to network and cable stations throughout Michigan this month.

According to MAPT, on an average day in Michigan, 18,000 buses transport 860,000 students to and from school. Michigan averages three fatalities per year due to school transportation-related crashes.

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Nationwide, since 1993, 191 school-age pedestrians have died in school transportation-related crashes. Nearly two-thirds were killed by school buses; 31 percent by other vehicles involved in the crashes; and 4 percent by vehicles functioning as school buses.

Gaylord Community Schools kindergartner Paige Puroll died in 1996 after she was struck by a car as she crossed Alba Road to board a bus.

As part of its annual "School's Open" campaign, AAA also emphasizes that driving carefully begins with focusing on basic traffic safety practices, such as the proper use of safety belts, child safety seats and booster seats.

"It's vitally important that all children age 12 and under be properly restrained in the back seat," said Miller. "Caregivers often don't realized they need to alter the type of child safety seat as children grow, which means that booster seats are underutilized or used incorrectly. Typically, children between the ages of 4 and 8 or up to 4 foot-9 inches are candidates for booster seats."

AAA urges motorists to follow these safety tips:

€ Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students when red lights are flashing (unless you are driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway).

€ Slow down in or near school and residential areas.

€ Drive with your headlights on, even during the day, so children and others can see you.

€ Look for clues, such as AAA school safety patrols, adult crossing guards, bicycles and playgrounds, that indicate children may be in the area.

€ Practice extra caution in bad weather.

€ Scan ahead between parked cars and other objects for children who could dart into the road.

€ When using a booster seat, always use both the lap and shoulder belt. Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area and the should belt fits snugly crossing the chest and shoulder to avoid abdominal injuries.